This is a continuation (Part 10) of an introduction to the Super Compact — including it’s capabilities.
In this video, you learn to cut the 2nd & 3rd course of bricks in a linear brick pattern using the Super Compact Cobra and a tracking system.
This is part 15 of an on-going series on Decorative Concrete, and is taken from the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics.
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When engraving straight bricks on a large area, the head joints can have a tendency to drift. Factors that cause a drift can be: a pointer that is slightly off, or if the operator views the pointer from differing angles. If the pointer happened to be off 1 16th of an inch, after 16 rows, your head joints would be off by one inch.
To avoid the drift, after engraving the first row of bricks, snap parallel chalk lines down the length of the slab. These lines should serve as a good reference to the proper cut of every second row. Make your cuts on chalk lines on odd numbered rows to minimize drift. This will keep your head joints lined up nicely and give a clean look to your straight bricks.
To cut the second brick course, index the engraver towards the linear rail to set the engraver up for the second row. Move the pointer flag to the second pointer and aim the second pointer at the first course.
To cut the third brick course, index the engraver in toward the rail. Pin it. Snug the knobs. The head cuts of the third course of bricks are centered on the first course. Aim the center pointer at the grout lines on the first row. Notice that all pointers, so far, have aimed at the cuts in row number one.
On the fourth and consecutive courses, aim the center pointer at the grooves that are two courses away from the row being cut.
Purchase the DVD Mastering Concrete Engraving, The Basics to see this series in its entirety.